Cramlington Rockets win ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award

Cramlington Rockets RLFC’s school-based sport and healthy living programme has been recognised for its achievements over the past year.

The Northumberland-based club’s Rockets Community won the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award at this year’s North East Schools Rugby League for their exceptional work over the last 12 months.

Rockets Community was only launched in September 2014 and has been a huge success. Doubling their target for year one, the team have engaged over 19,000 people, encouraging them to try rugby league and live a healthier lifestyle.

Working in and around Northumberland, the team also run the CLV Rugby Academy and assist the main club with player and coach development.

Community manager Steven Beaty and head community coach Danny Gilroy have been invited to a presentation ceremony in London at the 2014-15 National Champion Schools Finals this month along with the other regional winners.

They have both also been invited to the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium the following day - August 29.

Several who Rockets Community work with were also nominated for an award.

Chris Horner of CLV was nominated for teacher of the year, Shanklea Primary School were nominated for regional school of the year and Elaine Wright of Burnside Primary School was nominated for outstanding contribution.

“It is absolutely amazing to win this award,” said Beaty.

“We never imagined when we set out 12 months ago it would be so successful and we would achieve so much.

“The demand for Rockets Community has been phenomenal and this year could not have been better.

“After winning the Aviva Community Fund grant, we were already buzzing, so to win a North East Schools Rugby League award is icing on the cake.”

He added “We were really pleased to see several who we work were recognised through their nominations.

“We could not do what we do without the support of those in the schools and hopefully we can continue to build on what we have achieved next year and beyond.”

As a result of their win, the team are now on a list of seven for the national awards.

This will be shorted to three finalists next month, who will then be invited to the national awards at Old Trafford before the Super League Grand Final in October.